Senior Manager/Manager, HR Policy & Governance

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A*STAR Human Resource Division is seeking an experienced HR policy professional to lead policy development and governance, aligning with Public Service requirements and best practices to support organisational priorities in Singapore.

You will translate policies into clear guidelines, manage conduct and discipline frameworks end-to-end, analyse governance data, and partner stakeholders to uphold integrity, accountability and workforce excellence.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in Human Resources, HR policy, employee relations or HR governance, preferably with at least 3 years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and maintain organisation-wide governance policies and frameworks relating to employee conduct, discipline, grievances, conflict of interest and workplace ethics, including the Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Framework.
• Partner key stakeholders to strengthen compliance and awareness of governance requirements and expected standards of professional conduct.
• Manage employee conduct and disciplinary cases end-to-end, including reviewing investigation findings, assessing cases against relevant policies and precedents, and recommending proportionate disciplinary actions.

Skills

HR policy

Governance

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Policy interpretation

Job description

Job Summary

A*STAR Human Resource (HR) Division’s vision is to develop all staff to their fullest potential and to help them make meaningful contributions to their department, to the organisation and to Singapore. A*STAR HR aspires to provide valued HR services to attract, develop, motivate and retain the best talent to help A*STAR achieve its mission. The HR Division comprises the Recruitment, HR Planning and Policy, Talent Management, HR Analytics, HR Operations, HR Partners departments and the People Development and Planning Office.

Key Responsibilities

HR Policy Development & Implementation

• Develop, review and implement HR policies, frameworks and guidelines to support organisational priorities and ensure alignment with prevailing legislation, Public Service/Whole-of-Government requirements and HR best practices.
• Conduct policy research, benchmarking and impact assessments to identify emerging issues and recommend appropriate policy enhancements.
• Translate policies into clear guidelines, procedures, FAQs and communications to support effective and consistent implementation across the organisation.
• Provide policy advisory and interpretation to HR and stakeholders, including addressing complex or non-routine policy issues and ensuring consistent application.
• Monitor the effectiveness of HR policies and recommend enhancements based on implementation experience, stakeholder feedback, workforce trends and changes in the external environment.

HR Governance, Conduct & Discipline

• Develop, implement and maintain organisation-wide governance policies and frameworks relating to employee conduct, discipline, grievances, conflict of interest and workplace ethics, including the Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Framework.
• Partner key stakeholders to strengthen compliance and awareness of governance requirements and expected standards of professional conduct.
• Manage employee conduct and disciplinary cases end-to-end, including reviewing investigation findings, assessing cases against relevant policies and precedents, and recommending proportionate disciplinary actions.
• Provide advice on complex and sensitive employee conduct matters, ensuring due process, procedural fairness, consistency and appropriate documentation.
• Maintain appropriate case records and precedents to support consistent and defensible decision-making across the organisation.

Governance Insights and Process Improvement

• Analyse governance and employee conduct data to identify trends, recurring issues and emerging organisational risks, and surface insights to support management decision-making.
• Review and streamline governance workflows, controls and operating processes to strengthen consistency, accountability and operational efficiency.
• Develop preventive and educational interventions based on identified risks and trends to promote desired workplace behaviours and strengthen organisational culture.
• Establish relevant governance metrics and reporting to monitor compliance, process effectiveness and areas requiring management attention.
• Support organisation-wide communications, education and engagement initiatives to strengthen understanding of HR policies and reinforce integrity, accountability, organisational values and ethical conduct.

Requirements

• Relevant experience in Human Resources, HR policy, employee relations or HR governance, preferably with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Good knowledge of HR policies and employment legislation; familiarity with Public Service or Whole-of-Government practices would be an advantage.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with sound judgement in handling complex and sensitive matters.
• Strong written, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to develop clear recommendations and engage stakeholders effectively.
• Resourceful, meticulous and self-driven, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage competing priorities, and handle confidential matters with professionalism and integrity.